For years, Charles Herron has been part of a group or a featured guest chasing the dream of sharing his bars and performing for a living. In 2017, Charles delivers his first official solo album. Born April 24, 1979 Charles is the oldest of 7 siblings. The product of a military father who like many at the time left old families for new ones, Charles‘ mother Melody raised 3 kids alone in the Bronx. Like most latchkey kids “the street and the block taught the kid how to box”. They also taught Charles Herron how to be “Chucky Ratchet” the gun totin stick up kid who inherited the way of life from his adopted uncles in the Academy Gardens and Bronx River Housing Projects.

Despite the odds and as most New Yorkers do, the best rap artists have always appealed to and come from the street aesthetic. They embrace the macho posturing rap music had been constructed upon. They add their own colorful language and bravado, their own way of saying words in rhythm and add their own flavor to create a unique sound. The Moorish-American MC has done just that and is ready to break into the scene on a national level.

Now older and wiser his life stories and current struggles are clearly displayed through his lyrics. His upcoming full length debut “Herron’s Melody” is a personal and insightful look into Charles Herron the man who wrote this album after the loss of his mother Melody. The music embodies the soul of NY hip-hop music that we all love and the realism of life for this Bronx born MC who now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. Charles Herron spits emotional bars over the soulful production and instrumentation of Anthony “FEVER” Johnson and The Mighty D.R. (Gone, Let’s Roll, My Resume) and gives you a first person look into his life from a young boy experiencing his first sexual encounters on “Shame” to his life behind the barrel of a gun and back to his redemption as a father. The album features cameos by Camp Lo’s Sonny Cheeba and upcoming artist Dee Richards.

A man who lives and loves music! A man who is dedicated to introducing to some and presenting to others the talents of artist, producers, and musicians. A man who works hard at networking, and building relationships with music industry professionals, both cooperate and creative. Someone who enjoys offering his gifts and talents for the love of music. Who is Big Ced?. it’s simple. One of the most highly respected men in the industry that I call Friend.

Stix BonesMusician/ProducerNew York City

Big Ced is an icon in New York City’s hip-hop community. It has been an honor for me to know him professionally as he has written about many of my clients. Ced is one of those rare people who only deals with authentic individuals. You know, the real ones. So when dealing with him, you better come honest, humble and professional.

Big Ced is a passionate about the creative process of entertainment in all forums. He cares about the integrity of vision, relationships,and networking. I have never known Ced not to be a man of his word. I have never worked side-by-side you to know your temperament. I have never argued with you or cried because of you to determine whether you are selfish, mean, judgmental, etc. The Ced that I’ve always known for 20+ years has been a consistent friend who never stopped answering his phone for me whether I was on a hit show or unemployed. I know that you follow-through with your plan,you create opportunity for yourself and others and you work harder than most. I respect you!

Big Lez

I’ve known Big CED for almost 20 years now, and what I like about him most is that he’s still the same person now that he was back then! In this business it’s hard to find genuine people, especially because the power of one’s network along with success and money can often times change someone’s character. But not CED, he is one of the most coolest people I know, and is also the only guy that I can call a smart-ass, but in a cool way (haha). In addition, CED is very opinionated, he’s a realist, and you always know where you stand with him.

Professional, reliable, open to various ideas, thinks outside the box, willing to give others opportunities. Identifies synergies between his passion/business and the passion/business of others. Works well with others.

Willing to help others, returns calls and messages. A person of integrity.

When I think of Big Ced, what comes to mind is a well respected industry vet who has worked at huge media publications such as Black Enterprise, Vibe and The Source to name a few. A passionate and dedicated journalist who is an innovator that created a platform of his own, his website, The Industry Cosign, which he has held down for over 12 years. I am privileged and blessed to know him and I am inspired and motivated by him.

I had the honor of meeting Cedric Thornton at an event in New York around a decade ago (2006). I didn’t understand who he was at first. I thought he was a youthful, friendly, funny guy. As I got to know him though, I realized that Cedric (Big Ced) Thornton was much more.

Cedric knew a lot of people and a lot of people knew him. I would soon learn that he, himself was a pioneer of contemporary, commercial, urban culture, having appeared in a few music videos to songs by Monie Love and MC Lyte, in his youth, among other things.

Cedric has always been wise beyond his youthful appearance. His sense of humor never strays from the truth. My fondest memory of Ced, was when I was getting my feet wet with digital reporting, and he gave me a few writing assignments. He always referred to me by my last name, “Glinski” and I loved that! Cedric’s level of professionalism and respect, sets him apart. Whether publishing news to his forum, TheIndustryCosign, or holding weekly social events around NY…

BIG CED is an industry professional with a magnanimous personality and a smile to match. For almost twenty years, I have relied on BIG CED to enlighten his networks about my clients and good deeds and he has never once closed his door or acted like he didn’t care, and for that I am eternally grateful. Through his career transitions and evolutions, BIG CED has remained humble and authentic and ALWAYS reachable. In the media landscape it’s common to lose touch with people but through my different career moves, BIG CED has always been just a phone call away. Cheers to BIG CED and may everything he touches be as sincere as he is.